Brachytherapy
Brachytherapy is internal beam, HDR (High Dose Rate) radiation therapy that involves placing radioactive material into a tumor or into its surrounding tissue. Because the radiation sources are placed so close to the tumor, your radiation oncologist can deliver a high dose of radiation directly to the cancer cells.

The radioactive sources used in brachytherapy, such as thin wires, ribbons, capsules or seeds come in small, sealed containers. These sources may be implanted permanently or temporarily. A permanent implant remains in the body after the sources are no longer radioactive. Other radioactive sources are placed temporarily inside the body and are removed after the right amount of radiation has been delivered.

Breast brachytherapy is delivered using the MammoSite® Catheter. Also know as Interstitial Breast Brachytherapy, this technology allows a breast cancer patient to achieve a full course of treatment (post-lumpectomy) in 5 days instead of the customary 6 week treatment with a decidedly similar outcome. The MammoSite® treatment course, following a lumpectomy, is a viable alternative to mastectomy.

For more information regarding the MammoSite® Catheter, click HERE
Hi-Dose Rate Machine
Comparative size of radioactive seeds